Pope Benedict XI

Pope Benedict XI (1240-7 July 1304), born Nicola Boccasini, was Pope from 1303 to 1304, succeeding Pope Boniface VIII and preceding Pope Clement V.

Biography
Nicola Boccasini was born in 1240 in Treviso, Italy, and in 1298 he became the Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina. In 1300 he became Cardinal-Bishop, and he was chosen as pope in 1303 after the death of Pope Boniface VIII. He released King Philip VI of France from the excommunication imposed on him by Pope Boniface VIII, but in 1304 he excommunicated Guillaume de Nogaret and the Italians that captured his predecessor at Anagni. He arranged an armistice between King Philip VI and King Edward I of England, but after eight months he died suddenly in Perugia.